United States Vice President Joe Biden talks to Stephanie Carter (R) as her husband Ash Carter (not pictured) delivers his acceptance speech as the new Secretary of Defense at the White House in Washington February 17, 2015. Carter served as the deputy defense secretary, the department's number two position, from 2011 to 2013. REUTERS/Gary Cameron (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR4PYL0

New SecDef Can’t Even Defend His Wife From Joe Biden

Vice President Joe Biden clearly takes a hands on approach when it comes to his day job.

Tuesday, at Defense Sec. Ash Carter‘s swearing-in ceremony, Biden got all touchy feely with Carter’s wife, Stephanie. From the pictures, it looks like he’s whispering sweet nothings into her right ear. He’s also getting a good whiff of her shampoo.

Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt: Perhaps he was trying to be comforting after her spill on the ice at the Pentagon this morning while she was accompanying her husband on his first day on the job.

Biden also took a firm grip on the woman’s shoulders.

She doesn’t necessarily look uncomfortable, but then again we’re not mind readers.

In December, 2013, Biden grabbed the waist of The Hill’s White House reporter Amie Parnes at a White House holiday party. As she appeared to protect her underboob, he veered dangerously close to her abdomen. The picture quickly went viral.